August 06, 2016

Bart Crashley

Bart Crashley was a well travelled Detroit Red Wings depth defenseman back in 1975. He became a bit of a throw in in one of the largest trades of all time when he was included with a young Marcel Dionne in a package sent to Los Angeles in exchange for Dan Maloney, Terry Harper and a draft choice which turned out to be Jim Roberts.

Marcel Dionne went on to become one of the highest scoring players in NHL history and was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Bart Crashley's career came to a crashing halt shortly thereafter.

“I had a much better chance of putting in another two or three years in the NHL in Detroit, rather than on that Los Angeles team," Crashley said of the Kings who finished 4th overall in 1974-75.

“I tried to make that team but it just didn't work out. We started that next season poorly and just like anybody else, when a team makes changes, they aren't going to send down a Marcel Dionne. They get rid of guys like me.”

For the smooth skating Crashley, it was seen as a bit of a last chance. The man who was voted as the top defenseman in the CHL minor leagues back in 1971-72 had already been through a few organizations. He had previously been included in separate trades for Guy Charron and Bob Bourne, and was traded with Pete Mahovlich.

Crashley only played four games for the Kings. He spent a couple of seasons back in the minor leagues before disappearing to play and coach 18 seasons in Austria.

All told Crashley played in 140 NHL games, mostly with Detroit. He scored seven goals and 43 points.

Crashley eventually did return to Ontario and remained active coaching youth and junior hockey. He also enjoys getting away to sunny Florida whenever he can.

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